Joshua (14)—Called to Service - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

The heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel. And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The LORD commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock.”
Joshua 21:1–2

Joshua (14)—Called to Service
After taking the Israelites out of Egypt, God had set apart the tribe of Levi for His service instead of the firstborn of the children of Israel. Out of this tribe He had selected Aaron and his descendants to minister to Him as priests. Every tribe in Israel contributed cities and their suburbs for the priests and Levites. Thus these servants of the Lord lived among their brethren throughout the land (Josh. 21:4).

Every believer today is both a holy and a royal priest by divine appointment (1 Pet. 2:5, 9). Every believer also has the high privilege of serving the Lord. But today too, God calls and separates those whom He chooses for special aspects of His service. Serving the Lord is not a human profession in the sense that being a doctor or dentist or lawyer is. Nor is a degree from a seminary, Bible college, or other such institution needed to qualify a believer to serve the Lord.

Just as God provided cities among the tribes of Israel for the Levites and priests to live in, and pastureland for their cattle, so He is faithful to provide for the needs of those who are set apart for His service today, whether in their homelands or in the mission fields.
Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

He hath redeemed us by His blood,
Hath cleansed from every sinful stain,
And made us kings and priests to God:
Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain.

J. Montgomery